I just discovered the most outlandish thing I’ve seen in quite some time.
JW Mariott is offering a “build your own inaugural ball” package for the three-day weekend for the mere sum of $1 million at its 14th and Pennsylvania hotel. Here’s what you’d get for your bucks:
• Two Presidential Suites
• Two Vice Presidential Suites
• 300 guest rooms
• $200,000 in food and beverage
• Private access to the 12th floor balcony under a heated framed tent
• Custom tailored events to fit 450 people
• 24-hour Red Coat Service™
• 5% of proceeds will be donated to the Amazona Sustainable Foundation
Oh yeah, and it’s non-refundable. Sorry ’bout that.
Will anyone do it? I’d surely be surprised if they did. But as a marketing move, it’s brilliant: after all, it gets people talking about the brand. Plus it makes other hotels for that holiday weekend seem cheap!
If you have friends coming to the District for the inauguration and want something more reasonable, check out this great Web site for hotels here. The Destination DC site lists plenty of hotels and prices for your perusal, and it includes lots of details about the ceremony and parade.
